Tire-tightener.



f J. .1. roucs.

` TIRE 'neun-:NEIL

gappxiwien moajrov. 19, 159e.)

un. sacwzs. Patented sept. 26,1899.

(In lnd'el.)

' UNITED STATES PATENT Onincn JOSEPH JACKSON FORKS, OF LEVY COUNTY, FLORIDA.

TIRE-TIGHTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 633,825, dated September 26, 1899. Application filed November 19, 1896. Serial lilo. 612,785. (No model.)

This invention relates to tiretighteners;

and has for its object to provide a simple and improved device adapted to adjustably conneet the ends of the tire and having means for preventing lateral displacement thereof and for filling the space which may occur hetween the opposite ends of the tire.

To these ends the present invention consistsin the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the ap-f pended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a wheel rim and tire having the invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line lo: Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the casing or housing. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the adjustable heads. Fig. 6 isa detail perspective rView of one of the filling-plates.

Corresponding parts are designated by like reference characters in all the figures of the drawings.

Referring to lthe accompanying drawings, l designates a casing or housing of segmental shapeadapted to be interposed between the adjacent ends of the opposite folly-sections 2 and 3 tobridge the space therebetween and form asupport for the opposite ends of the tire 4. By reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings it will be seen that the housing l is in the form of a casing having opposite longitudinal dat sides 5 of segmental shape and opposite end pieces 6, connecting the side pieces, whereby a housing is formedhaving open outer and inner sides. The opposite ends of the segmental side pieces project beyond the end pieces 6, forming outst-and ing flanges '7,whereby sockets are-provided at the opposite ends of the housing for the reception of' the ends of the respective felly-sections 2 and 3, and the flanges 7 are adapted to hold thehousing against being displaced transverseiy, as will be understood. The outer longitudinal edges of the opposite side pieces are each provided withk an inwardly-extending ange S, and a1- ranged between the said sides is a segmental brace-bar 9, having its Opposite ends connected to the respective end pieces 6. By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the outer edges of the side pieces 5 and the bracebar 9 are arranged in the same plane, so as to provide an evenly-rounded upper face for the housing and permit'of theends of the tire resting hat upon the same.

Each end of the tire is provided with a slidable head lO of segmental form and adapted to be slidably mounted Within the casing or housing l. These heads are duplicates in construction, and therefore a description of one will be sufficient. Referring to Fig. 5 of 'the drawings, it will be seen that the head is provided with a pendent ear or shoulder l1, flush with one end of the head and having a bolt-opening l2, provided through the ear nearitslowerend. Extendinglongitudinally through the upper face of the head and intermediateof Athe sides thereof isa groove 13, and the opposite upper edges of the head are each provided with an L-shaped groove l-il, extending parallel with the intermediate groove 13. The opposite shoulders 15,' provided between the intermediate grooves 13 and the respective L-shaped grooves 14, are each provided with vertical bolt-openings 16, extending entirely,T through the head. Two heads formed as described are adapted to be arranged within the housing l, with the shoulders or ears ll arranged adjacent to each other and projecting beyond the concave side ofthe housing, each head being secured to the respective end of the tire by means of bolts or suitable fastenings 17, passing through the bolt-openings 16, formed in the head, and having the fastening-nuts i7, located within the housing,so as to be effectively protected against being accidentally turned, and the headsof the bolts being countersunk in the outer face of the tire. When the head are thus connected to the tire, each intermediate groove 13 is adapted to receive the bracebart9 of the housing, andthe opposite kL- shaped grooves lat receive the `opposite'lgm- TOO By reference to Fig. 2 it will be noted that between the saine.

ymit ready adjustment of the heads and proheld in place and prevented from being disgitudinal flanges S,whereby the head is guided in its movement. The ears are connected by means of a bolt 18, passing through the boltopenings 12, formed therein, and provided with a nut 19, adapted to bear against the outer face of one of the ears, whereby the heads maybe adjusted, as will be understood.

the bolt-opening in one of the ears 11 is angular in form, so as to receive the angled. portion of the bolt 18, adjacent to the head thereof, whereby said bolt is prevented from being turned by the operation of the nut 19. Also the bolt-opening 20 in the other car 11 is larger in diameter than the bolt, so as to pervide for any lateral Ymovement there may be In some instances the opposite ends of the tire may not come entirely together, and to till up the space between the same, so as to form' a continuous tire, I provide filling-plates 21, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 6 and is provided with a pair ot' substantially L- shaped lugs or hooks 22, extending from one face of the plate near the opposite ends and at opposite edges thereof. .3y reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen that these L-shaped lugs or hooks are adapted to engage or overlap the longitudinal flanges 8, provided upon the housing l, whereby the plates are effectually placed laterally or otherwise.

The present construction and arrangement of parts provide an exceedingly practical and durable form of tire-tightener in which the parts are eiectively inclosed and protected by the housing, the ends of the tires being held againstthe housing and protected against lateral displacement,and the ends of the fellysections are seated in the socketed ends of the housing, so as to retain the latter firmly in position.

Changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details of construction within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacricing any ofthe advantages of this invention.

1. In a tire-tightener, the combination with a housing having inner and outer open sides, of opposite slidable heads mounted within the housing, adapted to be connected through one of the open sides of the housing and to the respective ends ot' the tire, and having ears or shoulders projecting through the opposite open side of the housing, and means adjnstably connecting the ears and located exteriorly of' the housing, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a tire-tightener, the combination with a housing, of a pair of slidable heads adapted to be connected to the respective ends of the tire and provided with shoulders or lugs having alined bolt-openings, a bolt having an angular portion and adapted to be fitted in said openings, and a nut or the like carried bythe bolt and adapted to engage one of the ears or shoulders, whereby the heads may be adjusted, one of the bolt-openings being angular and adapted to receive the angled portion of the bolt, and the other bolt-opening being larger in diameter than the bolt to permit of lateral play, substantially as shown and described.

8. In a tire-tightener, the combination of a housing or casing open throughout its outer side and provided with a longitudinal bracebar located intermediate of the opposite lateral closed sides of the housing, slidable heads mounted within the housing and provided with longitudinal grooves adapted to slidably receive the brace-bar, said heads being adapted to be connected through the open side of the housing to the respective endsof the tire, and means for adjustahly connecting the heads, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a tire-tightener, the combination of a housing or casing open at its outer side and provided with longitudinal flanges extending inward at the open side of the housing, and opposite slidable heads provided with opposite grooves adapted to receive the respective longitudinal flanges of the housing,said heads being adapted to be connected through the open side of the housing and to the respective ends of the tire, substantially as shown and described. l

5. In a tire-tighlener, the combination of a housing open throughout its outer longitudinal side and provided with a longitudinal brace-bar located intermediate ofthe opposite lateral closed sides of the housing, and 10ngitudinal lianges projecting inward at the open outer side of the housing, opposite slidable heads mounted within the housing and adapted to be connected through the open side thereof and to the respective ends of the bar, each head being provided with a longitudinal groove located intermediate of the sides thereof, and opposite longitudinal grooves provided in the side edges ofthe head, the intermediate grooves being adapted to receive the longitudinal brace-bar, and the opposite side grooves to receive the longitudinal flanges of the housing, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a tire-tightener, the combination of a casingopen throughout its outer side and provided with longitndinal iianges projecting inward from the opposite closed sides and at the open outer side of the housing, means for adjustably connecting the ends of the tire, and filling-plates adapted to be fitted between the ends of the tire and provided with opposite L-shaped lugs or hooks adapted to engage the respective longitudinal anges of the housing, substantially as shown and described.

JOSEPH JACKSON FOLKS. `Wi tnesses:

HORACE BOUTHLY ROBINSON, @Ass ELIOTT ROBINSON.

IOO

IIO 

